Your home’s air conditioning system is designed to run during warm days, hot days, hotter days, the hottest days. There’s not much point to an AC otherwise! You don’t run it during cool weather, after all. But even though your AC was built with the heat in mind, it can still overheat during the summer. Just as when a car engine overheats, this will leave you with a busted system that won’t work.
Watch Out for an Overheating Air Conditioner This Summer!
June 25th, 2018Tips to Lower Your Cooling Costs
June 11th, 2018
There’s no way to avoid a rise in electrical costs during the summer if you have a central air conditioning system. The air conditioner consumes electrical power to run the fans and the compressor, and this comes at a cost. But the cost doesn’t have to be as high as it currently is! There are ways to reduce the price of a comfortably cool home over this summer, and the many summers to come.
Here are our top tips for conquering the high cost of cooling:
Business picking up for HVAC companies as heat sets in
May 29th, 2018HVAC companies getting busier as the weather warms up
By Elisse Ramey |
Posted: Fri 5:54 PM, May 25, 2018 |
Updated: Fri 7:39 PM, May 25, 2018
FLINT (WJRT) – (05/25/18) – Today is National Heat Awareness Day, a reminder for you to be aware of the sometimes deadly consequences associated with heat stroke and dehydration.
With loads of sunshine and high temperatures you can also expect HVAC companies are being inundated with service calls.
“Very busy. The heat is definitely getting people on the phone,” said Coby Ackerman, a service technician with First Choice Heating & Cooling.
“I think one of the biggest things is probably not changing the filter,” said Ackerman.
He’s seen homeowners make all kinds of mistakes, but here’s what you should do for sure:
“You need to change the filters. That’s very important. Check the batteries in the thermostat if you have them. It’s a good idea to look and see if the condenser outside is clean,” Ackerman said. “Definitely want to check the charge. It may or may not be undercharged. Even though you think it’s good a dirty coil can mask that.”
The decision to cut the air on and off throughout the day may not be a great idea.
“72, 73 is a good temperature and if you leave it there and get rid of the humidity you’ll actually feel a lot comfortable instead of turning it on and off like people like to do,” Ackerman said. “When it’s hot just let it run.”
Remember, it’s better to have your AC tuned up than to wait until there is a problem.
Now that we’ve gotten the air conditioner taken care of, Governor Snyder is reminding everyone how serious heat stroke is, especially for children.
Today is heat stroke prevention awareness day in Michigan.
Already this year – six children have died in the United States from heatstroke in a car.
1. Officials with the state advise the following:
2. Never leave your child alone in a vehicle, not even for a minute.
3. Keep the car locked so kids don’t get in on their own.
4. Create reminders by putting something in the back of your vehicle next to your child such as a wallet, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination.
5. If you see or hear a child alone in a car, call 911.
Why You Might Want an Energy Recovery Ventilator in Your HVAC System
May 28th, 2018
One of the jobs we do for our customers is to help their homes enjoy better air quality. Indoor comfort is about more than controlling the temperature with an air conditioner and a heater. It’s also about keeping the air fresh and humidity under control with excellent ventilation.
But how can you properly ventilate your home during extremely hot and cold days? Opening windows and doors just isn’t a good solution because it ruins all the work your AC or heater is doing and makes you uncomfortable. Do you just have to accept stale indoor air on those days?
Not at all! This is why we recommend you look into getting an energy recovery ventilator installed in your home’s HVAC system.
Ductless Cooling and Heating May Be a Great Home HVAC Choice
May 14th, 2018
The ductless cooling and heating system isn’t necessarily “new.” This type of heat pump has been popular for years in Europe and Japan, where homes and buildings usually lack the space to put in ducts. It’s simple to outfit a few rooms with a ductless system, allowing for a distribution of heating and air conditioning that would otherwise be impossible.
Today in the U.S., ductless systems are making a bigger impact on home comfort. People are finding out more about the terrific benefits of going ductless. But you want to know if ductless makes sense for you? It might! Let’s take a look at when ductless heating and cooling makes a lot of sense for a new HVAC system installation.
Air Conditioning Maintenance: The Best Way to Prevent Repairs
April 30th, 2018
At last we’re starting to enjoy warmer weather that says spring is really here, and summer is approaching right behind it. The lingering cold weather may have put your air conditioning system out of your mind, and we can’t blame you for not giving must consideration to cooling your house.
But now it’s time to focus on the coming warm weather and ensuring your AC can do the best job through the middle of the year, and without you needing to call for repairs.
But there’s no way to prevent repairs 100%, right?
That’s right, there can never be any guarantee for any mechanical device to work without any faults. But you can prevent the majority of problems with planning and proper care. When it comes to your air conditioning system, planning and care means arranging for maintenance (a tune-up and inspection) from qualified HVAC professionals.
Is It a Good Idea to Shut Off a Boiler for the Summer?
April 16th, 2018
Gas boilers are one of the best ways to enjoy comfort through even the chilliest of winters. They are highly energy efficient and can last for many years.
But, like any gas-powered system and any heating system, a boiler can be an energy drain if it remains working during the summer when it isn’t needed. If you have a boiler for your home comfort, you’ve probably wondered if it should be shut down entirely. Let’s take a closer look at this issue and provide you with some answers.
Last Furnace Check: Does Yours Need Repairs?
April 2nd, 2018
Our recent weather has been rainy and in the 40s. That’s much warmer than during the dead of winter, but it’s certainly not a full spring thaw. But these are probably the last few weeks you’ll be using the furnace until fall. You don’t necessarily need to shut the unit down since most furnaces now use electronic ignition systems and won’t waste power using a standing pilot light. But you also should make sure the furnace doesn’t have any lingering repair issues before you stop using it.
Should I Shut Down My Furnace When Warm Weather Arrives?
March 19th, 2018
It’s the first week of spring! That doesn’t mean the weather will instantly turn warm, of course. But it does signal the start of making plans for the coming change in weather. We strongly recommend using the time to schedule maintenance for your air conditioning system so it’s ready to go on the first day of hot weather.
But when air conditioning systems turn on, does that mean furnaces should turn off? All the way off? That’s a good question.
A Short-Cycling Heater: What It Is and Why It’s Bad
March 5th, 2018
As we head into the last stretch of winter, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your heating system. It’s done plenty of work already this winter, and now is a time when the stress on its components can catch up with it and cause it to malfunction or even breakdown entirely—and that’s never good, no matter how late in the season.
One particular issue to watch for is short-cycling. If your heating system is turning on and off multiple times over the hour, you may have a major repair problem on your hands that will require Fenton, MI heating system experts to fix.